Jordan Pickford believes the experience of playing opposition like Germany and Denmark provides the Young Lions with the perfect preparation ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
The Washington-born stopper featured in Aidy Boothroyd’s reshuffled side for the first time on Friday evening, completing 90 minutes against Germany between the posts.
With under-21 regulars James Ward-Prowse, Michael Keane and Nathan Redmond in the senior mix, Boothroyd handed a debut to Leicester City starlet Demarai Gray.
However, it proved to be a challenging evening for the Young Lions as Nadiem Amiri’s deflected strike wrong-footed the 23-year-old.
England responded well but were unable to find a route back into the game, leaving Boothroyd’s side suffering the taste of defeat for only the second time in 12 matches.
The Young Lions will have a chance to get back on track quickly, though, with a match against Denmark tonight providing further chance to fine tune preparations ahead of summer’s European Championships.
“It is always going to be tough to come out to Germany and play them but it is good preparation for us to go into the Euros,” Pickford admitted.
“I think we had a good couple of chances towards the last half an hour (against Germany on Friday) – it just wasn’t our day.
“They didn’t create too many chances and we dealt with it well.
“I thought I did ok, it was another game for me because I’ve been getting back (from an injury) in the last few games.
“I feel good in myself and I just want to keep working hard on the training ground and hopefully keep putting in good performances.
“It is hard, it is difficult, but it is good preparation for the Euros so we are fitting a lot of stuff in to prepare ourselves in the Euros in the summer.
“Both teams – Germany and Denmark – are going to be in the Euros so they are two good tests.”